Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Fort McPherson (Apr 24/00) - An RCMP sergeant in Fort McPherson is pushing for an ambulance service in the Delta region.

Sgt. Bill Eubank and a group of concerned citizens have formed the Tetlitzher Emergency Services Society. Their mandate is to seek reliable emergency transportation for the communities between Eagle Plains and Inuvik.

"This came out of concerns raised last summer with so many accidents that we had here on the Dempster Highway and a lack of equipment to respond," said Sgt. Eubank.

He recalls three specific collisions involving serious injuries. Eubank said the victims in those cases could have sustained further injuries during transport to medical attention because the vehicle was not up to safety standards.

The Fort McPherson Health Centre currently uses a Ford van for emergency purposes.

Since the group has been registered as an official society, the next step is to obtain the proper registration from the territorial government so it can operate as a charity.

The Tetlitzher Emergency Services Society also has to receive approval from the Delta Regional Health Board and the Yukon Territory, since a section of the proposed route runs through there.

"Once we get all the proper documentation we have to start fund-raising. Once we get that started I suspect things will move along very fast," said Eubank.

The vehicle being considered for the task is a four-wheel drive Suburban with an extended roof. The estimated cost is between $65,000 and $70,000.

Once it begins operation, the emergency unit will be dispatched by community nurses and operated by volunteer drivers.

Eubank has not yet informed the neighbouring community leaders about the initiative as he is waiting for the charity status application to be processed.

However, Grace Blake, mayor and chief of the Tsiigehtchic Charter Community/Gwichya Gwich'in Band Council says Eubank has her full support.

Blake said her community was trying to obtain its own emergency vehicle last year, but was unsuccessful.

"Of course I support it, anything that's going to be an advantage to the people. We can all work together to develop a plan because I really think it's important," she said.

Eubank is hoping to have the emergency vehicle in operation by next year.